The Collaborative Reference Database (CRD) is a tool for providing reference services, that is being developed by the National Diet Library, Japan (NDL) in collaboration with libraries throughout Japan. The CRD currently comprises about 180,000 records of queries from library patrons together with answers prepared by reference librarians and is available for browsing by the general public.
For details, please visit: https://crd.ndl.go.jp/en/about/index.html
This year’s Forum on the CRD Project is titled The Future of Reference Services—20 Years of the Collaborative Reference Database and will focus on the future of the CRD and other reference services.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of the CRD. During this time, the environment surrounding libraries has undergone major changes, including the spread of the Internet, digital information resources, and generative AI.
The NDL has invited experts to discuss the impact of changes in society and information sources on libraries and reference services.
We hope that this Forum will prove to be an opportunity for considering the future of libraries, of reference services, and of the CRD.
This Forum will be held online and conducted in Japanese. Anyone interested in the CRD or the subject matter of this forum is welcome to participate.
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Time and Date:
Monday, March 2, 2026
1:30 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. JST
Venue:
Online via Microsoft Teams Webinar
Please see the following page for information in Japanese on the program and how to register.
The 21st Forum on the Collaborative Reference Database Project https://crd.ndl.go.jp/jp/about/forum/r7_21.html
Please direct all inquiries to the Library Support Division Kansai-kan of the National Diet Library, Japan
E-mail: info-crd@ndl.go.jp